Newfoundland born violinist Mark Fewer enjoys one of the most varied musical lives of his generation. Known for his relaxed style and honest interpretations, he switches easily between roles as soloist, chamber musician, orchestral leader, jazz musician, artistic programmer, and most recently, teacher.

Mr. Fewer was concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra from 2004-08, during which time he gave Canadian premieres of concerto works by John Adams (The Dharma at Big Sur) and Ludwig van Beethoven (Unfinished Violin Concerto WoO5), as well as the Vancouver premiere of Felix Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra (the latter with John Novacek, also featured at Scotiafest this year). He also led the orchestra in traditional kappelmeister style (without conductor) on several occassions in baroque and classical repertoire. In recognition of his work with the VSO, he was recognized by the Vancouver Sun as one of the music industry’s top “Movers and Shakers” for 2006.

He is a regular member of the Duke Piano Trio and the SuperNova String Quartet, both of which recently completed Beethoven cycles in their respective genres.

With an expanding profile as a jazz violinist, he looks forward to his first collaboration with Bill Frisell at the Detroit Symphony’s “8 Days in June” Festival, as well as continuing work with The LotusLand Project (a hybrid classical/jazz group), and arranging a new Miles Davis tribute work for solo violin and strings, set to premiere in Ottawa in 2009. He has been artistic director of the Scotia Festival since 2005.

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